Chapter 264

Chapter 264
Sophia didn't rush Jackson. She poured herself a fresh cup of tea and drank leisurely.

Time ticked by. Jackson thought for a full five minutes before finally looking at Sophia again.

"If Victoria and Robert split up, would you reconcile with Robert?"

Sophia was genuinely surprised. This was what Jackson cared about most right now?

She didn't shut the door completely. "Now's not the time to discuss that, is it? Isn't Robert missing?"

If Jackson had observed Sophia's expression carefully, he would've noticed that when she mentioned Robert, her face was cold. Unfortunately, Jackson's mind was in chaos. He didn't notice.

He thought for a moment. "How did you know Robert was missing?"

The Howard family had kept this their deepest secret. Amelia and Victoria, mother and daughter-in-law, had it locked down tight. No matter how capable the Stuart Group behind Sophia was, they couldn't have reached into Emerald City's inner circles, could they?

At this thought, Jackson felt like he'd figured something out.

Sophia must still have feelings for Robert. Otherwise, why would she specifically inquire about him? For her to know such a secret, she must have spent considerable effort and energy.

Sophia fell silent.

Tell Jackson that Zephyr had helped her discover it? Sophia would never do something that stupid. So she was vague. "I have my methods. Mr. Rivers, let's talk business first."

Jackson felt this only confirmed his guess, so he didn't press further. Instead, he followed Sophia's earlier line of thinking. "Zephyr used to have a crush on Victoria. Robert and I both knew about it. Amelia might have heard too, but that's all in the past. Sophia, you need to catch them in the act. You can't just claim a man and woman are having an affair without proof. I don't think they'll admit it, and Amelia won't believe it either."

He said the first few sentences to show Sophia he believed her. Otherwise, if he'd questioned her outright, Sophia would think he had no willingness or sincerity to cooperate.

Sophia smiled again, then said unhurriedly, "I have evidence."

"Oh?" In Jackson's mind, the best evidence Sophia could have would be photos and videos, but with modern technology so advanced, Victoria and Zephyr could easily blame AI. "I don't think images and videos would necessarily work."

Sophia lowered her voice. "What if I told you the evidence is Orion?"

That casual sentence hit Jackson's ears like a thunderbolt, leaving him scorched inside and out.

"You—what are you saying? 'The evidence is Orion'? Do you even know what you're saying? You, I, ah..."

Jackson was so shocked he became incoherent.

For a man, if there was anything more humiliating and shameful than his woman cheating on him, it was finding out his child wasn't his.

In that moment, Jackson even felt a surge of murderous intent.

His brother's life or death was unknown, and this bitch Victoria had been sleeping around and gotten pregnant with someone else's child, then dared to pin it on his brother? Did this bitch have a death wish?

This thought only flashed through Jackson's mind. He thought rationally and decided he couldn't just believe Sophia's one-sided story.

Many people had witnessed how devoted Victoria was to Robert. Before marriage, she'd done so many shameless, undignified things. How could she possibly have had a child with another man who was now over four, almost five years old? What did that mean? Victoria and Robert had only been married five years, all told!

"How could a woman pine after one man while sleeping with another?"

Jackson genuinely couldn't understand. But to Sophia, his words were laughable.

She snorted with amusement. Meeting Jackson's confused gaze, she said, "Robert did the same thing with me and Ms. Brown back then."

Sophia said it jokingly, but Jackson couldn't laugh. He only felt the embarrassment of being called out for saying the wrong thing, and an inexplicable, nameless anger.

He took a deep breath, then tried to explain to Sophia. "I don't mean I don't believe you. I just feel that..."

Halfway through, Jackson realized no explanation would make sense. He shut his mouth again.

Sophia smiled casually. "I know. You're just having trouble wrapping your head around it, Mr. Rivers. You're not the only one who feels that way. Ms. York, for instance—she never suspected Ms. Brown either!"

Jackson understood Sophia's subtext. Amelia was such a shrewd woman, and she'd lived under the same roof as Victoria long-term. If she hadn't discovered that Orion wasn't her biological grandson, then it was normal that he hadn't noticed either.

But even though Sophia had given him an out, Jackson still didn't want to believe it. So he asked hopefully, "Do you have any other evidence?"

Actually, he was hoping more to hear a denial from Sophia.

Sophia gazed quietly at Jackson. "Mr. Rivers, why would I lie about something like this? You can verify it by arranging a paternity test!"

Jackson's hope shattered. His heart felt blocked.

Sophia watched his silence. Having the opportunity to secure a project that could elevate the Rivers Group should have been good news for Jackson. But there was little joy on his face. Instead, his eyes and brows carried considerable heartache.

Sophia raised her eyebrows imperceptibly, a thought forming. Did Jackson value his brotherhood with Robert more?

To verify her guess, Sophia changed her angle of persuasion.

"I was with Robert for three years. I understand his personality to some degree. Compared to so-called pride, what he really cares about is profit. Mr. Rivers, as his best brother and friend, you should be more important to him than even his own mother. He would definitely want you to do well."

This heartfelt speech made Jackson's eyes turn red!

These five years, he'd thought about his missing brother almost every day. For the first two years, he hadn't even had the heart to go to work at the company. That was one reason the Rivers Group wasn't as prosperous as before.

Just before tears could fall from his eyes, Jackson raised his hands in time to cover his face.

At the same time, he made his decision. He would cooperate with Sophia!

But accustomed to keeping control, Jackson still didn't want to show his attitude too quickly. He started rambling again, bringing up Sophia's two children. "Are they really Robert's children?"

Sophia stood up and waved at Jackson breezily. "It's getting late. Take your time thinking it over, Mr. Rivers. I'll head back now."

She'd said everything that needed to be said. Who wanted to waste more breath on Jackson?